Penguin Random House Audio is seeking a Vice President, Content Development to lead the next phase of growth for our audiobook and original audio portfolio. This role will develop and execute acquisition strategy across independent publishers, independent and hybrid authors, agents, small presses, and emerging creator communities. In addition, it will lead and develop a high-performing acquisitions and partnerships team, providing strategic direction, coaching, and performance management while fostering a culture of entrepreneurship, collaboration, accountability, and market-driven innovation. The VP will own the full acquisitions pipeline, negotiate complex content and rights deals, build high-value external partnerships, and work cross-functionally to bring acquired content from opportunity to publication to revenue growth. This is a senior leadership role for a strategic, data-informed, relationship-driven publishing executive who can combine creative instincts with commercial discipline and help position PRH Audio as a premier destination for independent authors, publishers, and audio-first storytelling.   

Specific responsibilities include:

• Develop and lead PRH Audio’s independent author and independent publisher acquisition strategy. Focus on identifying high-growth audiobook opportunities across independent publishers, small presses, hybrid authors, self-published authors, agents, and emerging creator communities.    
• Architect and manage the end-to-end independent author and independent publisher acquisitions pipeline. Provide market scouting, lead generation while leveraging internal tools, submission review, and opportunity evaluation through deal approval, negotiation, contracting, onboarding, production handoff, publication planning, and post-launch performance analysis.    
• Build and deepen strategic relationships across the independent publishing ecosystem, serving as a senior-facing partner to independent authors, hybrid authors, small and mid-sized publishers, literary agents, author collectives, creator platforms, and other rights holders.    
• Identify and evaluate commercially promising content for audiobook acquisition, using a combination of sales data, audience engagement, genre trends, author platform strength, backlist depth, series potential, community traction, and long-term revenue opportunity.    
• Negotiate complex audiobook rights and content acquisition deals, including single-title acquisitions, multi-title author agreements, backlist programs, publisher partnerships, audio-first originals, co-publishing arrangements, and other deal structures that support growth and profitability.    
• Drive revenue growth for PRH Audio’s acquired content portfolio, developing a balanced strategy across frontlist, backlist, series, genre fiction, nonfiction, and original audio while tracking performance, profitability, and opportunities for continued partner expansion.    
• Partner cross-functionally with Production, Editorial, Marketing, Publicity, Sales, Legal, Finance, and Operations, to ensure acquired titles move successfully from deal concept to production, launch, discoverability, sales execution, and long-term audience development.    
• Position PRH Audio as a premier destination for independent authors, publishers, and audio-first storytelling, representing the company in the marketplace, identifying emerging trends, building scalable partner programs, and establishing a best-in-class experience for entrepreneurial publishing partners.    
• Provide leadership and oversight for the independent acquisitions team, aligning resources, priorities, and partner strategies to achieve revenue, profitability, and content growth objectives.      

Please apply if you meet the following qualifications:

• Must have 10+ years of experience in publishing, audiobooks, content acquisition, literary representation, business development, rights licensing, digital publishing, or a related media field

• Proven ability to lead and motivate team members; prior management experience is required
• Excellent negotiation skills
• Highly proactive in seeking out talent and new business partners
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including presentations 
• Highly analytical with the ability to interpret and make decisions based on data 
• Ability to work effectively with employees across all levels and functions within an organization 
• Ability to develop and maintain strong relationships with internal and external partners
• Prior experience with understanding and executing high-level initiatives, goals, etc. 
• Calm under pressure with the ability to effectively and creatively solve problems 
• Ability to travel as needed

The salary range for this position is $150,000-$250,000. All positions are currently eligible for an annual profit award or bonus, subject to company results.   

This is a hybrid position with in-office responsibilities. We will consider candidates who can work from a commutable distance to our offices at 1745 Broadway, which includes the tri-state area (NJ, CT, & PA).

Applications for this role will be accepted through June 21, 2026 or until the role is filled. We encourage you to apply early, as we review applications on a rolling basis. Please include your resume and cover letter for consideration. Before applying for any role at Penguin Random House, we recommend you review our applicant resources page and our FAQs page.

Penguin Random House job postings include a good faith compensation range for each open position. The salary range listed is specific to each particular open position and takes into account various factors including the specifics of the individual role, and candidate's relevant experience and qualifications.

Full-time employees are eligible for our comprehensive benefits program. Our range of benefits include, but are not limited to, Medical/Prescription drug insurance, Dental, Vision, Health Care/Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account, Health Savings Account, Pre-Tax and Roth 401(k), Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance, Life/AD&D Insurance, Commuter Benefits, Student Loan Repayment Program, Educational Assistance & generous paid time off.

Penguin Random House is the leading adult and children's publishing house in North America, the United Kingdom and many other regions around the world. In publishing the best books in every genre and subject for all ages, we are committed to quality, excellence in execution, and innovation throughout the entire publishing process: editorial, design, marketing, publicity, sales, production, and distribution. Our vibrant and diverse international community of nearly 300 publishing brands and imprints include Ballantine Bantam Dell, Berkley, Clarkson Potter, Crown, DK, Doubleday, Dutton, Grosset & Dunlap, Little Golden Books, Knopf, Modern Library, Pantheon, Penguin Books, Penguin Press, Penguin Random House Audio, Penguin Young Readers, Portfolio, Puffin, Putnam, Random House, Random House Children's Books, Riverhead, Ten Speed Press, Viking, and Vintage, among others. More information can be found at http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/.

Penguin Random House values the array of talents and perspectives that a diverse workforce brings. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status.

 Company: Penguin Random House LLC | Job ID: 289606